Luis Severino has yet to prove he's a big game pitcher. The A's have the offense and bullpen to hang in with the Yankees. The Yankees should not be this big of a favorite. So I'm going to get involved on the run line with Oakland.

If given 1 1/2 runs, the A's would be 8-3 in their last 11 games.

Severino hasn't been nearly as effective post All-Star break going 5-6 with a 5.57 ERA in his last dozen starts. He started the wild card game last year for New York and was unimpressive giving up three runs on four hits, including two home runs, in only one-third of an inning. The A's saw Severino early last month and got to him for six runs in 2 2/3 innings in an 8-2 victory.

This will be Severino's fifth post-season start. He has a 5.63 ERA in his previous four.

The A's are going with a bullpen by committee with Liam Hendricks first up. He's expected to pitch one or two innings. He made eight starts totaling 8 2/3 innings in those outings posting a 2.08 ERA. The A's have a deep bullpen headed by star closer Blake Treinen, who has a 0.78 ERA. Treinen could go multiple innings if needed.

Oakland used this bullpen technique nine times in September. Its pitchers compiled a 1.86 ERA during those games. I have more faith in Oakland's bullpen than in Severino and an overpriced Yankees team.